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The initial decision by the Electoral Commission (EC) to restrict the number of accredited media outlets allowed at Collation Centers on December 7 has been put on hold.
Deputy EC Commissioner Dr. Bossman Asare made this announcement on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, during the “Graphic National Development Series” in Accra.
Following talks with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), which expressed concerns about the policy’s effect on media coverage, the restriction was imposed.
In order to create a revised policy that ensures balanced media access while upholding order at collation centers, Dr. Asare promised stakeholders that more consultations would be held.
“The EC introduced the directive to prevent chaos at collation centres. In some regions, there may be hundreds of media houses, but the available space at collation centres is limited. We issued that statement to ensure orderliness, not to restrict media reporting,” he explained.
The initial directive, which was published in a memo on November 25, 2024, called for restricting media access to collation centers to eight approved organizations.
The EC recognizes the role of the media in fostering transparency and guaranteeing free and fair elections, Dr. Asare underlined.
Additionally, he reaffirmed the Commission’s resolve to preserve or increase the 79% voter turnout that was attained in the 2020 elections.
Dr. Asare stated that ballots have been prepared for each and every registered voter, urging them to cast their ballots.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
